Control station for operating washers with a single bath



CONTROL STATION FOR OPERATING WASHERS WITH A SINGLE BATH Filed July 5, 1947 Sept. 30, 1952 B. A. Bliss ET AL 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Hal.

8.41 30:: M g/ v INVENTORJ DM/LL Sept. 30, 1952 B. A. Buss ET AL CONTROL STATION FOR OPERATING WASHERS WITH A' SINGLE BATH ZSHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed July 5, 1947 B. nzrnv e03: INVENTORJZ If- W004 Maze-e "@xfa Patented Sept. 30, 1952 CONTROL STATION FOR OPERATING WASHERS WITH A SINGLE BATH Benjamin Alvin Buss, East Moline, Ill., and

Hercheal Wood Miller, Davenport, Iowa, assignors to American Machine and Metals, Inc., East Moline, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application July 3, 1947, Serial No. 758,804

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatically operated washer and to a control unit adapted to operate the washer automatically. Automatic washers have been designed to carry out a cleansing process upon metal objects, drinking glasses,

"bottles, dishes, or iabrics including several steps step is to continue, or the depth of the bath.

Such automatic controls for washing machines have not achieved wide acceptance because they have provided predetermined programs covering the entire washing operation, and did not permit the operator to vary the procedure to suit the specific requirements of each load or of local conditions.

The present invention relates to a washer that is automatic to the extent of permitting the operator to set up at a single control station all of the variables involved in a single step of the process.

The automatic control will then take over and carry out that one step in accordance with the operators selection of the variable factors, dump the spent bath and signal the operator that the washer is now ready for him to determine the variables that enter into the next step of the cleaning operation. Thus, the invention affords the advantages of automatic operation in relieving the operator from details and permitting him to attend to other duties without sacrificing his skill and ability to adapt the treatment to the condition of the particular lot of materials being treated at'the instant.

While not limited thereto, one field for the invention is in the cleansing of fabrics in commercial laundries and drycleaning establishments.

By way of illustration, a commercial laundry washer equipped with the invention will be described. Such washers generally have a cylinder movable about a horizontal axis into which the and cold water, sometimes valves for supplying steam, and an outlet for draining off the spent bath. If such a washer is equipped with the automatic control as herein described, the operator is still able to decide how long he wants to agitate the clothes, the type of supplies he desires, the temperature he desires, and the water level which he wishes to carry. Having deter.- mined these factors, the machine will automatically close the dump valve, fill the washer to the level desired with water of the proper temperature, turn the washer in one direction the required number of turns, then reverse, operate for the desired number of minutes, open the dumpvvalve allowing the water to drain ofi, and signal the operator that the machine is ready for the next step.

By contrast, whenthe operator carries out a number of steps'in the present commercial washer in the customary manner, he proceeds as follows:

He closes the dump valve located in the center of the washer with his foot, he moves to one end of the machine and part way opens the hot water valve, then part way opens the cold water valve. He has no means of tellingto what extent to open each valve. He sets the float for the depth of bath he desires. He loads the machine with clothes, closes the doors, and goes to the other end of the machine to push the button to start the driving mechanism. When the proper depth of water is reached, the valves shut off automatically, but the operator must stay around to see whether he has guessed the right degree of opening of the two inlet valves. He does this by reading the thermometer, and, if the temperature is not what he wishes, he stays by thesteam valve until the bath has reached the proper temperature. He is nowfree to attend his other duties but he must remember to return to the machine at the expiration of five minutes or whatever time he wishes the machine to run. He then returns and opens'the dump valve. He must either stay at the machine for the next minute while the water is draining through the dump valve or else return in this short span of time to close the dump valve and start it on its next cycle. It is obvious that the operators time is broken up so badly in serving a single washer that it is difiicult for him to divide his time between several washers each of which is carrying out a difierent step in its washing cycle. Confusion and bad work frequently result.

Whereone operator cares for three or four washers and must load and unload one or the other of them every fifteen minutes, it is clear that his duties at the several machines'overlap A further object is to enable the operator of a laundry washer to select the temperature, the depth of bath, the length of run, to put his detergent into the washer, and to permit the;

machine to automatically supply the proper amount of hot and cold water, add steam, if necessary, after the proper depth of water has been reached, run for a set period, open the discharge valve, and light a signal light.

A further object of the invention is to combine all the control apparatus at one point of the washer shell giving a single operating station.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control apparatus wherein the dump valve will automatically close when water is turned into the washer.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical control unit determining the sequence of all of the above functions which may be readily disconnected from the washer and replaced by another unit in the event of failure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control unit for an automatic washer having a single control knob having an off position in which all current is disconnected and the machine at rest, a zero position reached by turning the knob in one direction which places the washer cylinder in operation, and an unloading position reached by turning the knob the opposite direction from the off position. When the knob is turned to unload, the motor turns the washing cylinder to a position where its door and the shell door are aligned ready for loading or unloading whereupon the machine stops.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control unit for an automatic washer having a single control knob having an off position in which all current is disconnected and'the machine at rest, a zero position reached by turning the knob in one direction which places the washer in operation, operating positions reached by turning the knob in the same direction beyond the zero position at which the knob will cause water to be admitted to the cylinder and a timing mechanism started that gradually turns the knob back to its zero position whereupon the shell is automatically drained.

The invention involves the opening of inlet valves, closing them subject to temperature or water level, opening and closing a dump valve automatically and at the proper time. This may be accomplished by any suitable type of timing mechanism and any suitable servo mechanism which will cause the valves to be moved at the proper time. Mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical means might thus be employed. In the preferred form here illustrated, the automatic control controls certain electric circuits which in turn actuate valves through solenoids.

Fig. 1 shows a commercial laundry washer to which the invention has been applied and the control box mounted thereon.

Fig.. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of the control circuits.

The washer shown in Fig. 1 has the usual outer shell supported on stationary legs 3|. Within this shell, shown in outline, is the usual cylinder 32 supported on shafts 33, 34. The shaft 33 carries a pulley 29 which is adapted to be driven by a belt (not shown) from the driving pulley 35 on the shaft of the motor 36. The motor is equipped with the customary spring applied brake, diagrammatically indicated, which is released when current issupplied to the solenoid I0. Shaft 34,

located at the other end of the cylinder, carries a cylinder orienting device which is adapted to stop I the cylinder in proper unloading position. This device, more fully described in Letters Patent 2,479,153 granted to Alvin Buss August 16, 1949, comprises a cam 40 and an electrical control unit ll actuated by the cam. The cylinder cam engages the control at every revolution but normally the control circuit through the control is not connected to a source of power. When the cylinder is to be stopped, moving the knob 50 to the unloading position does not stop the machine but energizes electrical control unit II. This is so designed that it responds to the cam only when the cam and the cylinder are turning in the direction which will bring the load toward the door and the current will be shut off from the motor and the brake applied in such manner that the cylinder willbe' orientedwith the door in the cylinder in line with the door in the shell for convenient unloading. A the left hand-end of the shell 30 is a motor control box 12 which contains the switches for starting, stopping and reversing the electric motor 36. A cylindrical well His connected to the shell by a. tube 55. The-water level in the well I8 is the same as that in the shell.

The washer shell is equipped with a sliding door 4| which slides in guides-42. When the door is closed, a switch 20 supported on the shell and interlocked with the control circuit is also closed. The washer has hot and cold water inlet pipes controlled by solenoid valves [4, l5 each operated by an electric solenoid. Water passing through either of these two valves enters the shell through a manifold 43. A pipe 44 branching from this manifold supplies a column of water to hydraulically close the dump valve whenever water is admitted to the washer.

The shell 30, as indicated in the broken away portion in Fig. .1, has a bottom flange .41 through which water may be drained out of the shell. Below the diaphragm is a housing 48 suspended from the washer. This housing carries the diaphragm 4B which is adapted to close the opening 41. This diaphragm is flexed upward to close the shell opening when water is supplied through connection 44 to the space 45, and this shell opening is opened when the solenoid-operated valve 2! allows the water to drain from thehousing 48 whereupon the diaphragm 46 collapses. Whenever water is admitted through' either solenoid valve l4 or [5 to the shell, the pipe 44 is filled, and there being no escape for the water, the housing remains filled until such time as the solenoid'valve 2| is actuated' The washer is equipped with a thermostat 23 having a bulb in the bottom of the shell. The contents of this bulb expand responsive to the temperature of the bath through tube 55 and expand the Sylphon 51.

Means for selecting the temperature of the bath without moving from the control station are provided. These may comprise an' adjusting screw 58 in the switch 59 housed'in. the cabinet H.

When the Sylphon expands, itlifts rod 99 which bears against the end of adjustable screw 58 and lifts the switch 59, when the desired temperature 'of the bath is reached which will cause the switch --59 to break the circuit 6| and make the new circuit 82. A second thermostat 22, similar to the one just described, may be provided to control the "admission of steam to the bath in the event that the water bath in the washer has not reached the desired temperature when the circuit to the water supply valves have been cut off. The thermostat '22 connects with tube 63 leading to Sylphon 64.

When this expands, it lifts rod 95. This bears against adjustment screw 93 in the switch 81. When this switch opens, it breaks the circuit 68.

The control panel IT contains a number of switches and has on its front side a single knob 50. By the selection of the proper position for this control knob, all of the functions of the washer during one washing step are controlled. The control panel is shown in Fig. 2 and it will be noted that all of the electrical connections with the rest of the apparatus are through lines L-I, I9, 1|, I2, 73, M, 89. The box I'I may be provided with a series of contacts 9| which permit lifting the .en- I tire unit I7 off the washer and replacing other in the event of failure. I

Knob 59 is shown in the off position. It is it by an- ,attached to the shaft 5| which carries a series of cams 82, 83 and a finger 84. This shaft is at times moved by hand through knob 59 and at other times the knob is turned in counter-clockwise direction by a timer motor 52 driving ,through a speed reducer 54. This arrangement permits the shaft 5| to carry the finger 84 through a wide angle in either direction without affecting the switches just described some of which remain closed after the initial movement of the knob.

When the cam switch lever 85 pivoted at 88, is in the off position shown in Fig. 2, both contacts 88 and 99 are open. In another position of the switch lever, contact 89 is closed, while in I the third position, the contact 88 is open and contact 99 is closed. When the knob 59is turned to the right, contact 89 is closed which supplies current to line 92. The shaft 5| carries another cam 83 which moves switch lever 81. When the knob 59 is turned clockwise, as previously described,

the switch lever will close the contact 89, while,

if it"is turned counter-clockwise, it will close the contacts 9|.

It thus appears that turning the knob 59 to the right will permit current to flow from line L-I through contacts 89 or line 92 to "line H and also through contacts 99 to line 12.

The shaft 5| also carries a finger 84 which is in contact with arc 93 which in turn is connected with line 92. y This finger serves to connect the alternately turn the cylinder 32 in one direction or the other. Thisis done in conventional practice to prevent the Clothes from tangling. In order to complete the circuit through the reversing timer motor 99, the current must pass through lines 99, I99, then through switch 29 to line L-2. If the washer door 4| is not closed, the switch 29 remains open, and the washer cylinder cannot I start. Current also flows through line H to the through the manifold 43. flows through line 44 into space 45 and the head cam 98 which iscontinually revolved by the timer motor 98 in one direction. This cam 98, covering roughly a half circle, will be in contact either with finger IOI or finger I02. Finger I9l connects with solenoid I93 and line 99 to L-Z. This closes the switch that connects the 3-phase power line I18 through the three leads I'H to power motor 36. If, on the other hand, the cam 98 is in contact with lead I92, current will pass through line I94 to solenoid I95 and then through line 99 to switch 28 to circuit L-2. The 3-phase circuit I19 is now connected to leads III to reverse the rotation of the motor 38. The timer thus periodically reverses the direction of rotation of the cylinder.

A branch 99 from line I2 passes through brake release solenoid I9 disengaging the motor brake while the motor is driving the washer. When the knob moves from the off to the zero position, the finger 84 continued to remain in contact with the small are 94 thus permitting current to flow through line 92, are 93, finger 84, are 94, and line 14 through the dump valve release solenoid valve 2I and thence to L-Z. As indicated in Fig. l, the opening of the solenoid valve 2 I allows the water to drain from the chamber 95, and the diaphragm then collapses leaving an openin in the shell 38 to drain out the contents. Once the water has been drained out, the water dump valve remains open even though the finger 84 passes beyond the are 94. The valve is closed when Water passes A part of the water of water holds the dump valve shut.

The automatic opening of the dump valve when the knob 59 is in the zero position is an important feature in the operation of the unit. Whenever the washer has been filled with water and either solenoid valve I4 or i5 is opened, the pipe 94 is filled with water and the dump valve is closed. Also, if there be leakage in the valves, the washer might have accumulated water while standing idle. Thus, it appears that as the operators moves the knob to the right from the off position, he must necessarily drain the shell. Likewise, when the knob is returned from one of the positions marked in minutes by' the timer to the zero position at the completion of astep, the dump valve is opened automatically. In parallel with the circuit I4 is the circuit through pilot light 29 on the face of the control box housing I! and line I91, line 88, circuit L-Z. It thus gives a visual indication when the dump valve is opened. As the operator moves the knob clockwise beyond the zero position to one of the positions numbered in minutes, the finger 94 leaves the are 94 and passes on to the are 95. This are 95 then supplies current for operating the inlet valves to fill water into the shell, and when the proper water level has been reached, for adding steam, if it is necessary to bring the water up to the desired temperature, and also'providing current to drive the small timer motor 52.. As the finger 84 leaves arc 99, the solenoid-controlled valve 2! closes so that any water coming through line 49 may act to close the diaphragm. The shell is now empty, float 198 in its lower position, and the switch 189 is in the position shown resting oncontact I I9. Under normalconditions, the temperature control switch 59 is in the position shown closing circuit 9i. Thus, current will flow from-the are 95 through line III, switch I99, contact H8, line H2, switch 59, line 8i, through the hot water inlet, solenoid valve I4 to line L-Z.

Hot water now flows through solenoid valve 19, manifold 43, into the shell, and comes in contact with thermostat 23. If the temperature of the hot water is higher than the temperature desired, the thermostat 23 will move the switch 59 to break the connection with circuit BI and make a new connection with circuit 62. This new circuit 62 passes through the cold water solenoid valve I into line L-2. The hot water valve now closes, the cold water valve opens, and as the cold water flows through manifold 43 into the pool at the bottom of the shell, the thermostat 23 shifts the switch 59 back to circuit GI. Thus, the solenoid water valves I4, I5 open alternately if the temperature selected is between that of the hot and cold water supply lines. While this has been going on, the water level has been rising and finally the float I08 having stem I I3 which carries an adjustable collar I I4 lifts switch I09 and closes a contact H5 thus breaking ofi circuit II2 that leads to both the hot and cold water valves.

When the switch I09 is moved by the float I08, a new circuit flows through contact I I5, line II6, to thermo-switch 61, line 68, and the steam-controlling solenoid valve IE to L2 If the hot water was sufiicient to elevate the water in the bath to the desired temperature, thermostat 22 has already opened the swicth 6! so that no current flows through the solenoid controlling the steam valve. Should the temperature of the hot water have been insufiicient, the flow of steam continues long enough to elevate the water temperature to the point where the switch 67 opens. A branch III extends from line I IE to the timer motor 52, thence through line 80 to L-2. The timer motor is now slowly turning the knob 50 back from the position to which the operator has advanced the knob to the position marked zero. When that is reached, the finger 84 will have left the are 95 and engages the are 94. That puts the timer motor 52 out of commission and again supplies current to the solenoid valve 2I that opens the dump valve.

Soap is supplied through the door 3'! by the operator at the time he sets knob 50 for the time he wishes the machine to run. Similarly, bluing in the bluing cycle.

The operation of the washer during a typical cycle will now be described. With the knob 50 in the off position shown, the operator opens the door M and adjusts the thermostats by turning screws 58 and 66 so that the thermostats will act at the desired water temperature. The operator places the proper quantity of clothes in the cylinder 32 through the open door of the shell 30 and the corresponding open door of the cylinder (not shown). The cylinder door and shell door M are now closed which closes safety switch 20. The operator turns the knob 50 to the right to indicate the number of minutes he wishes the machine to operate. The collar II4 on the float I08 has been adjusted to open the switch I09 when the desired water level is reached. This will shut off all inlet valves. Before leaving the machine, the operator places detergent, bluing or solvent in the machine. The operator may now proceed with his other duties and the automatic control takes over. If the operator has turned the knob to read five minutes, the circuit already de scribed causes the washer cylinder 32 to turn a number of times in one direction whereupon the direction is reversed. A hot water solenoid valve I4 has been opened and water flows in.

Immediately some of the water flows through line 44 into space 45, elevates the diaphragm 46 and closes the outlet 41, the hot water flowing into the shell forms a pool. When the temperature of the pool exceeds the value selected by screw 58, the thermostat-controlled switch 59 opens shutting off the further supply of current to the hot water solenoid valve I4. At the same time, switch 59 closes the circuit to cold water solenoid valve I5. When the temperature of the pool has been brought down, the switch 59 will again shift and add hot water. Thus, switch 59 continues to open and close the hot and cold water valves until the desired water level is reached whereupon switch I09 opens and no more current is supplied to either the hot or cold water valves. 'If the temperature is not yet up to that selected by the operator, the mechanism causes the second thermostat 22 to provide steam as long as necessary to get the temperature selected by screw 65. Not until the proper water level has been reached does the timer motor 52 start thus giving the load the full period of agitation in the depth of the bath selected by the operator. When the washer has run the proper length of time, timer motor 52 will have brought the knob back to the zero position. This causes the pilot light 24 to light and the dump valve to open because drain solenoid valve 2| is opened.

The operator repeats this procedure for as many cycles as are necessary to give the desired number of suds, rinses and bluing and souring and othertreatments.

It will be noted that thus far the washer has never stopped running. After the completion of the last cycle, the operator turns the knob 50 through the "ofi position to the unload position. In passing through the o position all circuits become dead for a moment because the finger cam 82 swings switch lever 85 into oif" position cutting off L-I, the power source. However, as the knob moves past the o :positlon, cam 82 is swung far enough to close contact switch 90. Similarly, switch lever 81 now closes contacts 9 I. Current now flows from L-I through line 75, contact 90 and line II to the orienting device I I where the cam 40 supplies current either to lines I04 or I20 leading to solenoid switches I05 or I03 controlling the rotation of the washer until the washer comes to rest with the cylinder door aligned with the shell door. Then cam 40 is out of touch both with line I20 and I04. The orienting mechanism is the subject of Patent 2,479,153, granted August 16, 1949.

As explained in that application, it is desired to apply the brake to the motor while the washer cylinder is turning inone direction during the orienting period to prevent coasting. This is the direction in which the washer turns when the cam 40 causes solenoid I03 to be energized. It is, however, desired to release the brake while the cylinder is turning in the other direction.

. This is the direction of rotation governed by energizing solenoid I05. To permit this release of the brake, contacts 9I in the control box are provided. When the control knob 50 is turned to the unload position, current can flow through the brake releasing solenoid I0 when solenoid I05 is actuated. Current then flows from L-I through line I5, contacts 90, line 10, cam 40, line I04, line 13, contacts 9|, line 15, line 12, line I05, brake release solenoid I0, line I00, switch 20, to L4.

The invention is not limited to laundry washers or to precise details of operation here used by way of illustration.

We claim:

1. In a laundry washing machine of the character described having power operative components including a motor driven tumbling cylinder and a dump valve for draining the machine the combination of, means for controlling the motor 9 and the dump valve for each single operation of the machine so as to continue operation of the motor after the dump valve is opened whereby the laundry continues to tumble and lose soil and liquid comprising, manually adjustable means having an 01? position wherein all operative components of the machine and the control means are disconnected from power and an active timing range including a zero position wherein all operative components except the motor are disconnected from power, timing means set by said manually adjustable means in said timing range always for operation back to said zero position from selectable other positions, first switch means operated by said manually adjustable means for energizing the motor when said manually adjustable means is moved away from the oii position to any other position, and second switch means automatically operated by said timing means for simultaneously disabling said timing means and opening the dump valve when said timing means returns to the zero position.

2. In a laundry washing machine of the character described having power operative components including a motor driven tumbling cylinder and each dump valve for draining the machine, the combination of, means for controlling the motor and the dump valve for a single operation of the machine so as to continue operation of the motor after the dump valve is opened whereby the laundry continues to tumble and lose soil and liquid comprising, manually adjustable means having an on position wherein all operative components of the machine and the control means are disconnected from power and an active timing range including a zero position wherein all operative components except the motor are disconnected from power, timing means set by said manually adjustable means in said timing range always for operation back to said zero position from selectable other positions, first switch means for energizin the motor when said manually adjustable means is moved away from the o position to any other position, and second switch means for disabling said timing means and simultaneously opening the dump valve when said timing means returns to the zero position, said first and second switch means being o-peratively attached to said manually adjustable means and said timing means.

3. In a washing machine having a shel1 for containing a bath and having power operative components including, water supply means for providing said bath, automatic means for controlling the level and temperature of said bath, a dump valve for draining said bath from said shell, a

10 rotatable cylinder in said shell for tumbling a load of laundry into and out of said bath, and motor means for rotating said cylinder, the combination of, control means for simultaneously operating said dump valve and said motor means for maintaining rotation of said cylinder after opening said dump valve comprising, manually settable means having an inactive position wherein all operative components of the machine and the control means are disconnected from power and an adjustable timing range comprising any number of positions providing time units from a predetermined maximum to a zero position, a timing motor for moving said settable means only in said range in only one direction from any preselected position back to said zero position wherein all operative components are disconnected from power except for the cylinder driving motor, first switch means controlled by said manually settable means for causing said motor means to rotate said drum when said settable means is in said timing range including the zero" position, second switch means operated by said timing motor for simultaneously disabling said timing motor and opening said dump valve to drain said bath when said settable means returns to said zero position, and third switch means in circuit with said second switch means and controlled by the automatic means for controlling the level of the bath for preventing operation of said timing motor when the bath is below a predetermined level, said parts being constructed and arranged so that said drum continues to r0- tate and tumble the laundry to remove water and soil therefrom after said dump valve is opened.

B. ALVIN BUSS. H. WOOD MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,103,756 Gebhardt July 15, 1914 1,179,537 Mapel Apr. 18, 1916 1,940,549 Jones Dec. 19, 1933 1,954,261 Pierce Apr. 10, 1934 2,054,053 Balzer Dec. 15, 1936 2,195,615 Chamberlin et al. Apr. 2, 1940 2,258,360 Hetzer Oct. 7, 1941 2,305,154 Gilbert Dec. 15, 1942 2,346,259 Hutchings Apr. 11, 1944 2,425,788 Edwards Aug. 19, 1947 2,430,668 Chamberlin Nov. 17, 1947 2,479,153 Buss Aug. 16, 1949 2,498,885 Geldhoi' et al Feb. 28, 1950 

